Weekly news

Westlakes Sunday News 7 February 2010
Good Morning from VK2ATZ with a summary of news and events for Amateur Radio Operators.Your announcer today is Greg VK2CW.

As reported in all media, today is the first commemoration of "Black Saturday", 7 February 2009 which was when Australia's worst bush fire disaster occurred in Victoria and 173 people died. But what you won't hear in the mainstream media is the activity of the Yarra Valley Amateur Radio Group which is running a Special Event memmorial station, VI3KIAH. The station will be on air today from 2 pm until 10 pm. Have a listen on HF and give VI3KIAH a call.

Adding to the problems being caused to amateur radio reception by faulty plasma television sets, now we have to put up with a new home security system being sold in Australia. This system sends pulses in the spread-spectrum mode, of 2 seconds duration and at a power of 100mw - anywhere between 7.1 and 8.5 MHz. Not only is the 40m amateur band affected, but also aeronautical and marine services. Looks like the the club writing another letter to the ACMA.

Squid poles. In this month's edition of Amateur Radio there is yet anothe article on a squid pole antenna. Westlakes has sold 70 of these things and there are only 2 left in our store. The cost is $40 each - contact the storeman Aly VK2AFZ. They won't last long.

Battery recycling - coming to a store near you! New EU rules have come into force that require stores selling batteries to provide in-store recycing bins. Anyone selling more than 32kg a year (that's one pack of 4 AA cells a day) must comply as part of targets on cutting landfill. An estimated 30,000 tonnes of batteries from electical goods are sold in the UK annually and 97% of these end up in landfill. It has been suggested that unless you hand in your old batteries you will soon pay a premium to buy new ones unless you hand the old ones in at the time of purchase.

Coming events at Westlakes this month :
Saturday 13 February - Monthly meeting 13.30
Saturday 20 February - A lecture on digital modes by Dave VK2RD 13.30
Saturday 27 February - "Project Day" - making 2 metre fox hunt antennas. Presented by Col VK2YP
and Frank VK2FJL 13.30.
Coming up in March is a lecture on LINUX by Marcel VK2FMDB and then a series of workshop project conducted by Les Smith. Firm dates for these events will be in our March Magazine.

Lightbulbs - Do you hate the those new-fangled low-energy light bulbs - the ones that are slow to light up andNovember 2009, general-service incandescent household bulbs became a prohibited import. In October 2010, fancy round and decorative incandescent bulbs are out, and in October 2012, mains voltage halogen lamps get the chop. So the future is compact fluorescent lamps which use 20% of the electricity to produce the same amount of light.

As most will know, Westlakes has secured the use of the special Call sign, VK100WIA in the last possible 3 day slot and then the call will be no more. Our allocated dates are Friday 29, Saturday 30, and Sunday, 31October. Suggestions are sought from members as to how and where the club should use this unique call sign. Send your ideas to the Secretary.

On 11 March 1910, a group of radio-minded people met at the Hotel Australia, Sydney and formed "The Institute of Wireless Telegraphy of Australia". Victoria was not far behind - November 1911, Queensland followed in 1912, and Western Australia in 1913. What can be done to mark the 100 years? Dennis VK2XDW has suggested a luncheon or dinner and is seeking expressions of interest. The plan is to pay your own way, however numbers are needed so that a venue can be selected. The date will be Thursday 11 March- 100 years to the day. Contact Dennis VK2XDW.

Next an item from the RSGB site. Will solar activity disrupt the London Olympics in 2012? Scientists in the UK have warned the Olympics will be in the middle of the next solar maximum which could interfere with satellite and terestrial communications. To protect sensitive electronic circuits up in space, the satellite tranmitters may have to be switched off.

Talk about Hi-tech! A personal internet segment has been just installed on the International Space Station's communications systems. This allows for astronauts and cosmonauts to send and receive emails to friends and family on earth. This will help ease the isolation associated with life in a prolonged closed environment. Unfortunately the Space Station's email address will not be made public.

And finally, the item everybody waits for - the drawing of the weekly meat tray. Drawn yesterday by John VK2JF, the winner of the snags, chops, and steak was Barrie VK2CXA.

Well that's all for another week - I hope to catch you all on 6 metres Hi.

73 Greg VK2CW